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Conference

Smart Fabrication

AI Foundations for Smarter Manufacturing: Building the Data and AI Readiness Layer

  • Date

  • Time

  • Experience Level

    Basic

  • Location

    N223-224

Overview

Presentations

Powering Smarter Manufacturing with AI-Ready Data

Basic 9:00 am - 9:45 am

While everyone is talking about AI-driven insights, predictive maintenance, autonomous workflows, and smarter decision-making, few organizations are truly prepared to implement them. The reality is simple: AI is only as strong as the data behind it.

This session demystifies the data readiness journey and offers practical steps for building a foundation that delivers ROI on AI initiatives. We’ll break down what “AI‑ready data” really looks like, how manufacturers can assess where they stand, and the processes and governance needed to support AI adoption.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand the essential role of data in AI applications and the impact it has on operational efficiency.
  2. Learn strategies to bridge data silos across operations, supply chains, and production systems.
  3. Explore real-world examples of data-ready AI implementations in manufacturing.
  4. Develop a practical roadmap for data readiness, including techniques for managing and maintaining data quality over time, strategies for data architecture modernization, and establishing data governance.

Stop Guessing and Start Deploying AI That Delivers

Basic 9:45 am - 10:30 am

Determining where AI can deliver immediate value versus where additional work is needed can be a struggle. With every vendor promising ROI and every workflow a candidate for modernization, the risk of investing in tools that don’t address the biggest bottlenecks is high. This session cuts through the noise and shows how to focus on high‑impact, high‑feasibility AI opportunities that actually move the needle.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

  1. Identify and prioritize AI use cases across the manufacturing ecosystem using criteria like business impact, feasibility, data availability, and time‑to‑value.
  2. Assess data and process readiness to minimize production impacts and maximize efficiency gains
  3. Build a right‑sized AI roadmap tailored to your company’s operational goals, workforce capabilities, and technology systems.
  4. Differentiate AI hype from high‑ROI opportunities by exploring successful AI uses cases in manufacturing.

About the Speakers

  • Colin Dowd

    Armanino

    Biography

    Colin is an experienced leader, guiding manufacturing and distribution companies through strategic growth and operational transformation. As Senior Manager of Industry Strategy at Armanino, he helps clients navigate complex challenges, using data-driven insights to drive efficiency and growth. As a byline author in several industry publications, Colin shares a deep understanding of the industry's landscape and a proven ability to translate data into strategies that streamline operations.

    More Details about Colin

  • Amy Julian

    Armanino

    Biography

    A previous FABTECH speaker and business process transformation strategist with specialization in sourcing, procurement, supply chain planning and negotiation, Amy leverages insights across data, tools, people and processes to recommend changes and lead hands-on transformations. She helps clients with projects involving M&A-related changes, functional redesigns, business leadership for system integrations and change management.

    More Details about Amy

Pricing & Registration

Sessions Member Price Non-Member Price
Individual Sessions $195 $220
Workshops $499 $599
Best ValueFull Conference
(5-10 Sessions)
$795 $900

Sessions Member Price Non-Member Price
1 Session $112.50 $125
2 Sessions $202.50 $225
3 Sessions $270 $300
4-8 Sessions $405 $450

Sessions Members Non-members*
Half-Day Workshops (W4, W11) FREE FREE
One-Hour Sessions (W12, W13, W14, W18) FREE FREE
Two-Hour Sessions (W16, W17) $50 $75
Weld-Ed Conference (W5) $50 $75
Half-Day Sessions (W2, W3, W7, W10) $345 $430
Half-Day SPARKS AND STEEL (W8) $250 $250
Full-Day Sessions (W6, W9)* $565 $665
Two-Day Session (W1) $795 $895
Professional Program (W15) $395 $495

* Non-member price for AWS Welding Full-Day Sessions includes a one-year AWS Individual Membership.

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